MORE than 60,000 health care assistants, porters, operating theatre staff, nurses, caterers, ambulance staff, cleaners and members of the public across the UK have signed a letter to Rishi Sunak asking him to properly reward staff for their work.

NHS pay in Wales is a devolved issue but trade union Unison believe the Welsh Government could only afford to provide a "decent wage rise" if it receives additional funding from Westminster. A substantial NHS England pay rise would provide that equivalent money in the devolved budget to Wales.

Staff want the chancellor to back a pay rise of at least £2,000 for all NHS workers, many of whom have put their health, wellbeing and personal lives on the line since Covid-19 struck.

The letter has been written to the chancellor ahead of the Budget 2021 on Wednesday, March 3.

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) worker, who has not been named, said: "I've found the last 12 months extremely hard and I’ve really struggled.

"I'm dedicated to the NHS. We have lost colleagues to Covid, it is terrifying and will take some time to recover from our personal experiences.

"God help us and I hope the Government invests more in our NHS.”

In the letter, workers challenge the chancellor to step up and do his bit.

They argue a pay rise would show staff they're valued, provide a much-needed morale boost for burnt-out workers and tip the balance for the thousands on the brink of leaving the NHS, the union added.

Paul Summers, Unison Cymru lead officer for health, said: "Health workers have been battling the pandemic for a year. That's a year of incredibly long-hours, heightened anxiety around the safety of family and friends, and fears about catching the virus.

"All while carrying out demanding roles and dealing with the trauma of many thousands of deaths. They're giving their all to keep us safe.

“Wales Conservative politicians like to say NHS pay is the concern of Welsh Government but there is no way Wales could afford a big boost to healthcare workers’ wages without Westminster providing substantial additional funding. On Wednesday the chancellor can and should give something back to them on behalf of the nation.

“Rishi Sunak must do the right thing and back up words of praise with concrete actions by funding a pay rise of at least £2,000 for all NHS staff."

A video of NHS staff sharing their experiences of working during the pandemic can be viewed here.